Studio flat residents without a practical oven
You reheat and defrost food every day, but would also like to make the occasional gratin, pizza or bake in a countertop appliance.
Who is this choice for?
UFC-Que Choisir highlights student accommodation and second homes as examples of situations where choosing a microwave is worth considering.
People with a second home
You want to cover several needs without crowding your limited worktop with multiple appliances. The right choice depends mainly on what you actually cook there.
Fans of quick, browned dishes
You mainly reheat portions, but sometimes want to brown the top. In that case, it’s worth distinguishing a model with a grill from a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking.
What sets these appliances apart?
Start with the meals you prepare most often, then check that the appliance you’re considering will fit in your available space. If oven-style cooking is your priority, a mini oven is another option, but it won’t reheat food using microwaves.
| Your needs | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Some oven-style cooking | Whether it has fan-assisted cooking, its temperature range and the size of dishes it can accommodate. | I don’t have a practical oven and want to cook pizzas or bakes as well as reheat meals. Around 42% of consumers would put this type of cooking first. |
| Space and ventilation | External dimensions, door clearance and the clearances specified in the manual for the exact model. | My worktop is narrow, so the appliance needs to fit without compromising its installation. Around 25% of consumers would put this constraint ahead of cooking functions. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Defrost programme and a turntable size that suits the containers you usually use. | If I mainly prepare quick meals and defrost food, I don’t need to prioritise oven-style cooking modes. This would be the main requirement for around 17% of consumers. |
| Occasional browning | Whether it has a grill and which accessories are approved for the modes you plan to use. | I want to brown some dishes without regularly baking or roasting. Around 16% of consumers would therefore prioritise browning. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing by capacity alone
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop, with the door open and enough room for ventilation.
Measure the space and check the manual for the exact model before choosing a countertop appliance.
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Expecting a combination microwave to perform like a traditional oven in every way
Having fan-assisted cooking doesn’t guarantee the same results for every recipe. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir assesses factors such as preheating, temperature and browning separately.
For dishes you plan to cook regularly, check the size of dishes it can accommodate, the available temperatures and any relevant test results for the model you’re considering.
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Using the same container in every mode
An accessory used for grilling may not be suitable for microwave mode; metal containers must not be used in this mode.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the programme you’ve selected, especially when using a rack or supplied dish.
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Confusing a product listing with availability
A listing that still describes an appliance doesn’t guarantee that the exact model is available to buy.
Before ordering, check the full model number, availability and the manual for the exact variant you’ve chosen.
Brands to know
Whirlpool
Whirlpool’s French range includes countertop microwaves with several cooking modes.
- Whirlpool lists a 25 L cavity, a grill and fan-assisted cooking for the MCP349WH.
- Its stated dimensions of 52 × 30,1 × 49,4 cm don’t include the required clearances. Check the manual for the exact model.
Panasonic
The NN-C69KSM is an example of a multifunction model combining microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking.
- For this model, Panasonic specifies a 1 000 W quartz grill and fan-assisted cooking adjustable to 40 °C, then from 100 to 220 °C.
- Check the model number and manual before assuming these features apply to another model in the range.
Samsung
Some Samsung combination microwaves combine microwave, grill and convection functions, which vary by model.
- Samsung says the MC28H5015AW lets you stop the turntable to fit some rectangular dishes.
- This doesn’t guarantee that every dish will fit in the cavity: check its dimensions and which modes it’s suitable for.
Moulinex
Its mini ovens are another option if oven-style cooking matters more to you than a microwave function.
- Moulinex lists fan-assisted and grill modes among the features of the Optimo 19 L.
- On its own, this mini oven won’t reheat food using microwaves.
Microwaves to compare on Joybuy
These models cover different needs in a studio flat, from everyday reheating to combination cooking. Start by choosing the functions you need, then check the manual for your chosen model to make sure it can be installed in your space.
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LG MJ3965ACS, 39 L combination microwave
Worth considering if you want to combine reheating and some cooking functions in one appliance. Its stated capacity is 39 L. Check that it has the modes you need for your recipes, along with its external dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual, before making room for it in your studio flat.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L microwave with grill
Consider this if you mainly reheat meals and sometimes want to brown them. The model is listed with a grill, a 20 L capacity and 700 W microwave power. If you plan to bake or roast, check separately whether it has fan-assisted cooking. See the manual for installation clearances.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H, 25 L microwave
One to compare if you need a microwave for reheating and space is at a premium. The product name indicates a 25 L capacity and 900 W power, but describes it as a solo model. If browning is important to you, confirm that the exact model has a grill. Also check its ventilation requirements.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI, 25 L microwave with grill
An option if you want to add a grill to your reheating functions without choosing primarily for oven-style cooking. The product name mentions Inverter technology, a 25 L capacity and 900 W power. Check the manual for the dimensions, full clearance requirements and cooking modes available on this model.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L microwave
Worth considering if reheating and defrosting are more important to you than browning. The product name lists a 20 L capacity, 700 W power and a defrost function. Check its dimensions and the required clearances before setting it up on a small worktop.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combination microwave replace a traditional oven?
It can handle some oven-style cooking if it has fan-assisted cooking suited to your recipes, but it won’t deliver the same results for every dish. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir assesses factors such as preheating, temperature, browning and evenness separately. Also check the size of dishes the cavity can accommodate.
Is a grill enough for gratins and baking?
A grill is useful for browning dishes, but it can’t replace fan-assisted cooking for oven-style recipes. If you often plan to bake or roast, compare a combination microwave with this function against a mini oven, taking the available space into account.
Can you use a metal container in a combination microwave?
Not in microwave mode. For other programmes, only use containers and accessories approved in the model’s manual, and make sure they’re suitable for the selected mode.